Terrified, Matted Pup Gets Happy Ending: Diamond’s Before and After

Last year in Texas, a scared little white pup named Diamond arrived at the City of Abilene’s municipal shelter. She was dirty, painfully matted and very scared. No one knew it at the time, but she was also deaf.

If Diamond had arrived at the shelter a year earlier, she may never have found her happy ending. But the folks who work at the City of Abilene shelter are especially dedicated and strongly committed to saving animals’ lives. Naturally, they jumped at the chance to take part in the ASPCA’s Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project, unveiled in September.

Part of the ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative, the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project helps cash-strapped municipal shelters like Abilene’s relocate dogs to off-site adoption programs, rescues or private shelters by providing municipal shelters $50 per dog placed. That money can be spent on vet care for an animal, transportation of the pet, or on anything else that will help move the animal out of the shelter.

For Diamond, this program was a godsend. Abilene was able to use the Petrie subsidy to move her to The Pawed Squad rescue. After a desperately needed grooming, Diamond revealed herself to be an adorable little Bichon Frise! She also came out of her shell and showed she would make a wonderful companion.

Soon after rescuing Diamond, the Pawed Squad was able to place her in a loving home that cherishes her every day. Her deafness was never an issue for these awesome adopters.

Congratulations to Abilene, The Pawed Squad rescue and Diamond’s happy family. We’re so glad the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project is changing lives like hers and thousands of others.

This organization flew my adopted Boston Terrier from SC to Maryland along with 3 other Bostons that were being adopted in Maryland. We were so appreciative of their services. My Boston was congenitally deaf and it has not been an issue. Thank God for SCBTR for saving her for me.

This story and it's wonderful ending has particular resonance for me and my own deaf dog Vivian.
The thought of this terrified little sweetheart and all she has been through will hopefully motivate all of us to work together and prevent further suffering

I love the comment from the pilot! knew a guy who flys for AA, named alderink. would be great if it were him...prob not though. this would be a bigger help to have animals flown to forever homes from places that couldn't care for them!

I was so happy to read about Diamond's rescue. So many kind people are stepping forward to help rescue dogs such as Diamond. My husband is one of them; he rescues dogs by flying them to New England where some amazing dog rescue groups place them in foster homes until they can be ready for adoption. I have taken hundreds of pictures of these lovely animals as they step off of his plane. It is the best feeling to know they will be going to new loving homes. My husband is affiliated with a group of pilots who fly different legs of the trips; many of these dogs start from Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, etc. These poor animals don't have much of a chance as there are far too many of them being trashed, dumped, and abused. Many of the shelters do care, but don't have the physical space to keep all of them. Unfortunately, many dogs and puppies are left at shelters or just abandoned on the road. There are some wonderful people who visit these shelters and take as many of these dogs as they can; then contact the pilots who fly them north to their forever homes. I am so proud of my husband and the other pilots who help these dogs, and most grateful to ASPCA and the smaller shelters who spend the money and time to help these animals be adopted. Let's all find a way to help our shelters and save more loving dogs and cats!! Every rescue is an act of kindness!